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FMCSA releases study plan of driver restart provisions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said Friday it has released its study plan of the commercial motor vehicle driver restart study.

The naturalistic restart study was mandated by Congress. It will evaluate the operational, health, safety and fatigue impacts of the hours-of-service restart provisions.

The newly released plan includes an explanation as to how the research team will measure and compare the performance levels of drivers, specifically pertaining to their safety and fatigue levels.

Some of the drivers in the study will take two or more nighttime rests throughout a 34-hour restart break.Other drivers will take only one nighttime rest during their 34-hour restart break. The study will occur over a period of five months.

The plan provides thoroughly detailed analyses of the technologies that will be used to assess the drivers throughout the study. It also includes the sampling plan, data analyses and study procedures of the evaluation.

The study includes the initial study plan and final report development. Both of these items will be required to undergo an independent peer review panel comprised of people with scientific and medical expertise.

The study plan, which outlines the methodology and the scope of the evaluation, will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general to guarantee the outcomes.

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